With three minutes remaining on the clock at Carter–Finley Stadium, Deondre Francois hooked up with Travis Rudolph for a touchdown to give Florida State its first lead of the game over NC State.

The Seminoles would grasp onto that narrow 24-20 triumph and rattle off five consecutive victories to conclude the year. Yet, this was not the first time that the Wolfpack had given their ACC foes trouble in recent memory.

Flashback to 2012, when NC State upset No. 3 FSU by a score of 17-16, handing them their first and only conference loss on the year. In 2014, the ’Noles trailed 24-7 after the first quarter and 38-28 midway through the third quarter before staging an epic 56-41 comeback victory over the Wolfpack.

NC State redshirt junior quarterback Ryan Finley will hope to lead his squad to a monumental upset over Florida State.(Photo: Karl B DeBlaker/Associated Press)

Last season, the NC State game came directly after Florida State’s home clash with Clemson. Similarly, these two squads will meet again after the Seminoles’ highly anticipated week three matchup against Miami.

This year, the Wolfpack will not be in the mix for the ACC title. However, Dave Doeren’s program has proven its capability of competing with the premier programs in college football, namely taking eventual national champion Clemson to overtime in 2016.

NC State will look to build upon last season’s seven-win campaign, capped off by a convincing Independence Bowl victory over Vanderbilt, with key players on returning on both sides of the ball.

Redshirt junior quarterback Ryan Finley returns to lead the Wolfpack’s offense after a 3,055-yard passing season, completing 60% of his throws. Finley’s top four targets: wide receiver Stephen Louis, all-purpose back Jaylen Samuels (a preseason All-ACC nominee), running back Nyheim Hines and wideout Kelvin Harmon all return for another season.

Overall, this unit accounted for 2,230 of Finley’s 3,055 passing yards, including 14 of his 18 touchdowns.

NC State’s running back situation is an entirely different story. For the first time in four years, Matthew Dayes will not be suiting up in red and white. The former standout tailback has taken his talents to the NFL. Dayes totaled over 1,100 yards in 2016 and posted consecutive seasons with over 10 rushing touchdowns.

Reggie Gallaspy II had the second most carries on the team behind Hayes, but the difference in usage was 200 carries. Although the void left by Hayes will be difficult to fill, look for Doeren to rely on Finley and the veteran passing game until a feature back asserts himself.

The Wolfpack defense, which ranked No. 24 overall in the country a season ago, will return eight starters. Among those returning players are Darian Roseboro, Kentavius Street and preseason All-ACC nominee Bradley Chubb. NC State’s front four will once again be a force to be reckoned with, but the secondary raises some questions, especially with the departure of safety Josh Jones (three interceptions, eight passes defended and 108 tackles in 2016).

Against the rush, the Wolfpack defense ranked No. 8 in the nation, allowing just above 100 yards per game on the ground. However, when defending the pass, NC State ranked No. 82 in the country.

North Carolina State senior fullback Jaylen Samuels (1) will look to make a noteworthy splash against Florida State’s defense in 2017.(Photo: Rob Kinnan/USA Today)

This season, Francois will look to exploit the weaknesses in the Wolfpack’s secondary as he did a season ago while throwing for 330 yards, his third highest passing total on the year.

FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher will likely favor the aerial attack in this matchup, as his team — with star tailback Dalvin Cook in the backfield — was held to less than three yards per carry and 63 total rushing yards against NC State in 2016.

Facing some of the nation’s premiere rushing defenses in Alabama, Miami and NC State during three of their first four games does not bode well for junior running back Jacques Patrick or true freshman Cam Akers. As a result, Francois will look to sling the ball early and often.

Prediction: Florida State - 31, NC State - 13

NC State has not won in Tallahassee since 2005, and that streak will continue in 2017.

Despite a formidable Wolfpack passing threat and talented front four, the Seminoles’ secondary, led by cornerback Tavarus McFadden and safety Derwin James — who was injured during the matchup in 2016 — will limit Finley’s success throughout. On the other side of the ball, Francois will have his way with NC State’s passing defense.